COMPETITION INFORMATION
The Arts Council of Surrey (ACS), in partnership with the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway and the Langley Arts Council, presents this juried exhibition is called Paint the Train.
Theme
The annual Paint the Train art competition offers artists an opportunity to consider the significant role our historic railways had in shaping our communities.
Place making, as it is called today, has been influenced heavily by the location of railway lines and stations. Today we see new towns being reshaped by Skytrain development.
In the 1900s when steam trains, electric interurbans and street cars were in operation they too influenced the growth of towns where they were located. The Fraser Valley is an excellent example of place making due to the alignment of the BC Electric tracks that passed through the towns. Of course, the BC Electric did more, as it brought electricity for the first time to the areas it passed through.
Each railway station was important and the focus of much activity from passengers and freight every day. Agriculture blossomed in the Fraser Valley and became a significant economic driver due to the BC Electric railway that made it possible to deliver milk and vegetables to the region. Some would say the BC Electric railway was the lifeline for the communities for many years.
The railways connected communities, influenced lives and where stories were told and history was created.
The annual Paint the Train art competition initiative provides an opportunity for artists to reflect on the broader perspective of life influenced by the train by creating unique art pieces that bring back memories and share the important role of the historic trains in shaping the every day lives from visiting shopping, visiting friends, unloading the mail and milk each day. The railway was an integral part of every day life.
Before email…..there was the mail train.
For 2022, Paint the Train entries should represent your artistic view of the impact of railways (electric, steam, diesel) in the region since 1886 – the date of the first scheduled train to cross Canada from sea to sea.
The image of a train does not have to be included in the art work, but is always appreciated. The subject of your work should have a direct connection to a railway in the region of the lower Fraser Valley.
Historic Railway in Surrey and Langley
Some examples of railways of the time. Company name and other lines that preceded, or were successors to the line.
Great Northern GN
Victoria Terminal Railway & Ferry VTR&F 1899 – 1908
Vancouver, Westminster & Yukon VW&Y 1901 – 1908
Vancouver, Victoria & Eastern VV&E – 1897 – 1943
New Westminster Southern NWS – 1883 – 1924
[Section in Surrey & Delta built VTR&F 1931 Cloverdale – Colebrook, VTR&F 1903 Colebrook – Port Guichon, abandoned 1938 – became PGE then BCR]
Became part of Burlington Northern BN in 1970
Became part of Burlington Northern Santa Fe BNSF in 1995
Pacific Great Eastern PGE
Name changed to British Columbia Railway BCR in 1972
Name changed to BCRail BCR in 1985
[section in Surrey – Cloverdale to Roberts Bank included VTR&F Cloverdale – Colebrook, port Guichon and new track to Roberts Bank. 1970]
Became part of Canadian National CN
Canadian Northern Pacific CNoP
Became part of Canadian National CN in 1918
British Columbia Electric BCE
Westminster Street Railway Company merged with Westminster & Vancouver Tramway W&VT – 1890
Bought by Consolidated Railway – 1895
Bought by BC Electric – 1897
Vancouver, Fraser Valley & Southern VFV&S 1906
Became BC Hydro and Power Authority BCH in 1962
Purchased & changed to Southern railway of BC SRY 1988
Canadian National CN
Canadian Pacific CP
Vancouver & Lulu island V&LI – leased by CP 1901
Name changed to CP Rail in 1968
Entry Form
Please click here to download the entry form.
ARTIST MUST HAVE A CURRENT 2022 ACS MEMBERSHIP, or be a member of a group that has a current ACS membership. You can find a copy of that membership form at artscouncilofsurrey.ca/membership.
Please send your filled out membership form along with your entry. Membership fees can be paid via Visa/MasterCard by phone (604-594-2700), via e-transfer to info@artscouncilofsurrey.ca (no password required) or by cheque made out to The Arts Council of Surrey, mailed to 13530 72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3W 2P1.
To encourage applications by post-secondary art students, the membership requirement is waved with a copy of valid student ID accompanying the entry form.
ENTRY FEES: $20.00 for one work; $30.00 for two works; $40.00 for three works. Please Note: entry fees are NON refundable
SUBMISSION OF ENTRY FEES: Entry form can be submitted by e-mail to info@artscouncilofsurrey.ca, fees then to be paid by Visa/Mastercard by phone (604-594-2700) or in person. Alternatively, fees can be paid via e-transfer to info@artscouncilofsurrey.ca or by cheque made payable to the “Arts Council of Surrey”. If paying by cheque mail your payment and entry form to:
Paint the Train, Arts Council of Surrey,
13530 72 Avenue,
Surrey, BC
V3W 2P1
or delivered, in a sealed envelope, to the above address.
Junior ( ages 10 – 17) Entry Form
Please click here to download the Junior entry form.
ARTIST MUST HAVE A CURRENT 2022 ACS MEMBERSHIP, or be a member of a group that has a current ACS membership. All Junior artists will receive a complimentary Youth Arts Council of Surrey membership.
No entry fee for junior artists. Only one entry per junior artist.
Junior Entry form can be submitted by e-mail to info@artscouncilofsurrey.ca,or mail to
Paint the Train, Arts Council of Surrey,
13530 72 Avenue,
Surrey, BC
V3W 2P1
or delivered, in a sealed envelope, to the above address.
Judges
For 2022 we are pleased to welcome back our three respected artists from last year as judges again this year. Scarlet Black, Marc Pelech and Brian Croft will select the winners and Honourable Mention prizes.
